Paracetemol

[swimmer4]

On any paracetemol packet it says not to take tablets every 4 hours and not to exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours.

I thought it was OK to take the tablets, for example, at the following times:

Day 1 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 10pm
Day 2 6am, 11am, 5pm, 9pm
Day 3 7am, 12pm, 5pm, 11pm

However my OH says this is wrong as you shouldn't for example take Day 2's first dosage until 10am.
I would say the 24 hour period went from 12am-12am and as long as you don't exceed 8 tablets and 4 hours in between that's OK.

How would you interpret the instructions?
I'm worried now as I've been taking wrong for years if OH is right.

I'd interpret it the same way as you have. I'd say it's 8 tablets in any one day. The break between the bedtime dose and morning dose is a long one. I think it's about "overloading" your body rather than quantity.

It's in any 24 hour period and it's to avoid accidental overdoses.

Thanks everyone for your replies - this means I've taken 4 doses in one day and then started too early the following - at least I know now - but what will it have done to my liver?!!!!

I would have just taken them at the same time each day e.g. if you start day 1 with times of 8, 12, 4, 10 then take them at those times on the following days too. I would say the 24 hours starts from the first dose.

I doubt that it will have done anything to your liver though from taking the dose too early on subsequent days.